| 摘要 |
<p>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make usable a low-function printer simultaneously with a high- function printer through a simple low-cost method. SOLUTION: On the downstream side from a high-function printer 2 which can be connected to a network 4 and can comprehend the high-function language of post-script or the like, low-function printers 3A, 3B..., which are not adaptable to the network and can not comprehend the high-function language, are connected through a bus or a cable, so that one printer group is constituted. The high-function printer 2 investigates and stores the performance of the low- function printers 3A, 3B... on the downstream side and the performance of this entire printer group is reported to a host on the network 4. Based on the reported performance, a printer driver inside the host prepares and displays a user interface picture. When print job data received from the host, the high- function printer 2 selects any printer suitable for processing that job out of the group and transfers job data to that printer.</p> |
